(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday agreed to Palestinian Authority (PA) demands for stationing international observers at the Rafiah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
Israel previously opposed the move, but the PA remains adamant, with PA officials explaining they will not accept a situation of Israeli monitoring of the crossing, without a trustworthy third party. PA Officials have stated this would not include the United States. The PA is looking in the direction of the European community to supply the international observers.
While Israel appears willing to permit PA residents to cross freely from Gaza into Egypt, the problem surrounds the crossing of people into Gaza from Egypt. Israel refuses to abandon the crossing, which would force Israel to rely solely on foreign observers.
Israel previously opposed the move, but the PA remains adamant, with PA officials explaining they will not accept a situation of Israeli monitoring of the crossing, without a trustworthy third party. PA Officials have stated this would not include the United States. The PA is looking in the direction of the European community to supply the international observers.
While Israel appears willing to permit PA residents to cross freely from Gaza into Egypt, the problem surrounds the crossing of people into Gaza from Egypt. Israel refuses to abandon the crossing, which would force Israel to rely solely on foreign observers.